US Seizes Third Tanker In Indian Ocean

• 24.02.2026, 19:42

He was accused of violating the sanctions regime.

U.S. armed forces seized the sanctioned oil tanker Bertha in the Indian Ocean, it was traveling from the Caribbean, the Pentagon press office said in X.

U.S. forces searched and boarded the Bertha in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the military said.

"The vessel was acting in violation of [US President Donald] Trump's quarantine for sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and attempted to leave," the statement said.

The agency said international waters are not a safe haven for sanctioned entities and vowed to hold them accountable on land, in the air and at sea.

The Cook Islands-flagged Bertha tanker is associated with Shanghai Legendary Ship Management Company Limited and is subject to US sanctions imposed in January 2020.

The US intercepted a second tanker, the Veronica III, in the Indian Ocean in mid-February. The Pentagon also announced that the vessel was attempting to violate a quarantine imposed by Trump. The Wall Street Journal noted that the quarantine refers to the maritime blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers announced by the Republican in December 2025.

Before that, on the night of February 9, the U.S. military seized the oil tanker Aquila II in the Indian Ocean, which was also accused of violating the sanctions regime.